One-Way "Flex" Awards announced

[pdb]

When I was booking an international award, today, the EXP agent told me that while a free stopover would continue to be permitted at the NA gateway, no longer would a free stopover be permitted at the international gateway. In addition, for domestic awards, whereas before one free stopover was permitted, now no more free stopovers. (YMMV)

[JonNYC]

Originally Posted by pdb

When I was booking an international award, today, the EXP agent told me that while a free stopover would continue to be permitted at the NA gateway, no longer would a free stopover be permitted at the international gateway. In addition, for domestic awards, whereas before one free stopover was permitted, now no more free stopovers. (YMMV)

That's exactly the way I read it as well (I'm lookin' at 'em), so, for now, now YMMV needed-- them's the rules as we know them, as detailed in post 57:
http://www.travelingbetter.com/forum...7&postcount=57

• Stopover [allowed] at N. American gateway on awards between N. America and Europe, India, Asia, Central/South America.

• No stopovers on awards within North America.

• In other words, visiting multiple Cities, for the most part will require multiple one-way awards. In substance, a one-way award is an award to a single place where you intend on stopping.

[JonNYC]

Originally Posted by JonNYC

up to 4 one-way awards on 1 PNR, 1 fee per PNR. But if due to beyond-SABRE issues (very far out return, not yet loaded) a customer chooses to book each leg separately (book one now, wait for SABRE load, book return) that would be 2 PNRs and necessitating 2 sets of redeposit fees, and, expedite if applicable.

Have reconfirmed this through two sources. If you a "round trip" at one time (two, one-way awards on one PNR) you'll pay just the single expedite, if applicable and a single redeposit (assuming you use neither award) if applicable.

Up to 4 one-ways on each PNR.

[Deltahater]

Originally Posted by JonNYC

Have reconfirmed this through two sources. If you a "round trip" at one time (two, one-way awards on one PNR) you'll pay just the single expedite, if applicable and a single redeposit (assuming you use neither award) if applicable.

Up to 4 one-ways on each PNR.

If a one way award originates in Europe, do you get a stopover at the European gateway or is this soley an NA award benefit and not an originating zone award benefit?

[JonNYC]

Originally Posted by Deltahater

If a one way award originates in Europe, do you get a stopover at the European gateway or is this soley an NA award benefit and not an originating zone award benefit?

I feel like I answered that to the best of my ability-- and based on all that's available to us at this point in time-- here:
http://www.travelingbetter.com/forum...9&postcount=59

[Deltahater]

Thank you for clarifying

[headinclouds]

While for the majority of itineraries, the 2 1-ways are the same as 1 rt, the use of a stopover and/or open jaw made for some useful trips that are not possible any more. I ticketed a trip in Sept 2008 that was DCA-PVG (stopover)-KIX (destination)-DCA that would require 3 1-way awards if I am understanding the new T&c's for all partner award travel.

[JonNYC]

Originally Posted by headinclouds

While for the majority of itineraries, the 2 1-ways are the same as 1 rt, the use of a stopover and/or open jaw made for some useful trips that are not possible any more. I ticketed a trip in Sept 2008 that was DCA-PVG (stopover)-KIX (destination)-DCA that would require 3 1-way awards if I am understanding the new T&c's for all partner award travel.

I wouldn't say they "aren't' possible anymore," rather, simply, they'll cost more.

Yes, it seems pretty clear that now something like that would require [miles from DCA-PVG] + [miles from PVG-KIX] + [miles from KIX-DCA]

Assuming the rates stay the same, the PVG-KIX, in business, will add 30K miles to the overall cost of such an itin, if my figurin' is right.

[Happy]

Is there any change(s) to the OW award as we know it?

The elimination of International stopover definitely has some negative impact on us. The issue with OW is its highly restrictive nature.

BTW, thanks for the info of AKL-SYD on LAN. I wish I know about it as our upcoming trip is a OW150C and you guess it, AKL-SYD on QF... Though I am not sure about the availability on LAN's flights. I had a hard time trying to find seats on LAN between EZE and SYD although the OW route map said they serve that route.

[JonNYC]

Originally Posted by Happy

Is there any change(s) to the OW award as we know it?

Have heard nothing to indicate any change to OneWorld awards as part of this.

Originally Posted by Happy

BTW, thanks for the info of AKL-SYD on LAN. I wish I know about it as our upcoming trip is a OW150C and you guess it, AKL-SYD on QF...

The LA flight operates under a QF flight number as well.

I agree about the restrictive nature of OW awards. I recently abandoned the CMB-AMM-JFK portion of a OW award and came home on a CX award instead due to lack of availability and scheduling of the RJ flights. Was sorry I didn't do a simple all-partner CX r/t F award (which -was- available at the time of booking the OneWorld award.)

Of course, now, I'll simply redeem a "AAdvantage One-Way Flex Award" on CX to get back to CMB and use the remaining OneWorld segments that I "left there" to get home. Nice!